Yup, the RealOEM prices are a little high to what deals are out there. Not replacing the M5 fuel pump, crank damper, and engine mounts would knock $1k (30%) off the list, but they are due for freshening, imho. (Especially the crankshaft damper)

The thicker headgaskets thing depends on if VAC Motorsports decked the heads. (Either way, I'll go with their recommendation).

The alusil coating on the cylinder sleeves / MAHLE pistons makes going to forged pistons (4032 alloy from Wossner-Kolben?) and rings (barrel shaped face?) challenging considering fitting direct replacement parts can be tricky. I don't know man. :/ Need to do a lot more research on that, when/if the time comes. Right now I don't want to go there. Really, I hope to never get to the point where forged pistons are necessary, the bigger bore clearance / oil control / cold start noise & wear seems a disadvantage to the goal of a high-mileage street engine. With what I know now, I'd likely beg and plead for BMWNA to sell me an assembled bottom end. Someone please correct me if I'm mistaken on that line of thinking...

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Previously owned: '03 4.6iS Dinan Supercharged